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Out of this World by Helen Worden Erskine First Edition A Collection of Hermits & Recluses

£40.00Out Of Stock

Product description

Stories of recluses have an endless fascination for most people – and here is a whole gallery of them. These hermits seem to have been timid and inoffensive people, usually of superior intelligence, and a great deal of their fascination lies in the atmosphere of decay in which they led completely self-contained lives, resenting any intrusion on their privacy. As each one died, usually in some miserable way brought about by his own seclusion, his belongings, hoarded with all the miser’s mania, yet ravaged by time and neglect, presented an extraordinary spectacle. Of the recluses in this gallery, none were needy, nor did they withdraw to pray for themselves or anyone else. They bolted the doors and drew the blinds because of family feuds, broken hearts, domineering parents, the death of loved ones, or in expiation of crime. Their stories are always extraordinary, and that of the wealthy Collyer brothers, who lived alone together surrounded by dark legends and an age-old collection of rubbish into which they tunnelled and at last died, is surely unique.There is a curious drama in these twisted lives which finally inspires something of compassion in the beholder.

The dust jacket suffers from some tears and chips, as pictured. Some foxing to pages. Binding remains sound. Unusual title.

Item details

Added value:

First Edition

Author(s):

Helen Worden Erskine

Condition:

Fair

Dimensions:

21x14cm

Edition:

1954 First Edition

Format:

Hardback

Number of pages:

300

Publisher:

The Bodley Head

Title:

Out of this World

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About this item

Stories of recluses have an endless fascination for most people – and here is a whole gallery of them. These hermits seem to have been timid and inoffensive people, usually of superior intelligence, and a great deal of their fascination lies in the atmosphere of decay in which they led completely self-contained lives, resenting any intrusion on their privacy. As each one died, usually in some miserable way brought about by his own seclusion, his belongings, hoarded with all the miser’s mania, yet ravaged by time and neglect, presented an extraordinary spectacle. Of the recluses in this gallery, none were needy, nor did they withdraw to pray for themselves or anyone else. They bolted the doors and drew the blinds because of family feuds, broken hearts, domineering parents, the death of loved ones, or in expiation of crime. Their stories are always extraordinary, and that of the wealthy Collyer brothers, who lived alone together surrounded by dark legends and an age-old collection of rubbish into which they tunnelled and at last died, is surely unique.There is a curious drama in these twisted lives which finally inspires something of compassion in the beholder.

The dust jacket suffers from some tears and chips, as pictured. Some foxing to pages. Binding remains sound. Unusual title.

Added value:

First Edition

Author(s):

Helen Worden Erskine

Condition:

Fair

Dimensions:

21x14cm

Edition:

1954 First Edition

Format:

Hardback

Number of pages:

300

Publisher:

The Bodley Head

Title:

Out of this World

Delivery & returns

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This item will be dispatched to UK addresses via second class post within 2 working days of receipt of your order. Standard UK delivery is currently free, no matter how many items you have in your basket. Any additional courier charges will be applied at checkout as they vary depending on delivery address.

This item is also available for international delivery by airmail, carrying a mandatory delivery charge of:

Europe: £6.50

Outside Europe: £11.50

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